On Camera: Former Democratic mayoral candidate endorses Republican in Louisville

LOUISVILLE — Republican mayoral candidate Hal Heiner has gained the endorsement of one Louisville Democratic candidate who lost in the May mayoral primary to Greg Fischer.

Shannon White, who worked as U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth’s finance director for a few years, finished fifth of eight candidates in the Democratic primary, but made a ringing endorsement of Heiner on Thursday at Heiner’s headquarters.

White said that he had met with Heiner and Democratic nominee Fischer many times since the primary, but that Heiner’s enthusiasm and their similar views on affordable housing made the difference.

White, who received 2.15% of the Democratic vote on May 18, also said she would campaign for Heiner, trying to sway her supporters in the primary to carry their voters for Heiner in the fall, including meeting with other Democratic primary candidates David Tandy and Tyler Allen, who finished in the top five. Tandy, who placed second with 20% of the vote, and Tyler, who finished fourth with 9.5% of the vote, have yet to endorse either Fischer or Heiner.

The endorsement comes on the heels of some major announcements by Heiner, including his “5 Ideas for Louisville” campaign that he unveiled on Tuesday. Fischer also has ramped up his campaign by opening two new campaign offices in southern and western Louisville.

And while White’s endorsement this earlier is unusual for someone crossing party lines, Heiner stressed that his message is for “all neighborhoods and all parties,” not just for potential party crossovers or Republicans.